Spine/Cheek Trimming Question

[engle's-wilder]

I have been wondering, if you wanted to make a thick knife thinner (trimming the spine or the sides) or a thick axe thinner (trimming the cheeks), would it compromise the integrity of the blade of either? I know that steels aren't always as hard towards the middle of a piece so how far can I file and trim down a knife or a hatchet and not have to worry about it's integrity? (let's say the knife is a BK2 and the hatchet is just more wedge-shaped than I'd like for bushcraft).

thanks!

 

[unit]

You can remove as much material as you like...technically any removal weakens the blade, but what matters is how much strength you need for the jobs you want to do.

I have modified many blades and I can tell you that stock removal done properly takes a generous amount of time. Depending on what your time is worth, you could likely buy something more to your liking/needs/uses (just a thought).

 

[Wandering_About]

I would be a bit hesitant to be thinning out a whole knife blade, although I suppose it could be done. I'd just buy a thinner knife personally.

Hatchets and axes you can do quite a bit of grinding on to get them chopping well. I'm currently working on an Iltis Ox Head axe. Most of the head profile is good but it is far too thick at the edge, so it's getting a hefty file job. You may find this link helpful for putting a proper edge on your hatchet. You may not need to do *everything* that is in this link but at the very least look at fixing the edge, it will chop much, much, much better.
http://www.oldjimbo.com/survival/vaughangrind.html

 

[Cougar Allen]

I know that steels aren't always as hard towards the middle of a piece

There is such a thing as a differential temper but it's seldom used these days. If you had a blade with a differential temper you would know it.